Spring Time For Your Soul
The snowy ruts in the road are gradually diminishing. The huge piles of snow are being hauled away and the long days of our Canadian winter are getting noticeably shorter.
Nearly every day we hear someone exclaim, “I’m so ready for spring!”
Whether or not we live where the snow flies, we all endure winter seasons of the soul and we often find ourselves longing for springtime, for new life and fresh sunshine.
Are you ready to pause from your busyness and find new life for your soul?
This week we have the opportunity to ready our hearts for that springtime.
Aren’t you ready to open the widows of your heart and let the fresh breezes of God’s love and faithfulness bring you refreshing?
This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday.
It’s not a day mentioned in the Bible yet it is traditionally a day that marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is also not mentioned in the Bible yet it is a wonderful season of tradition that marks the 40 days before Easter.
It’s roots are in the Old Testament. When a person or a nation was called to repentance they would put on sackcloth and ashes and fast as a way to symbolize their giving of themselves back to God.
It’s a great time to consider just what you might want to fast from, to give up, as you move toward Easter and the fresh reminder of Jesus death and resurrection.
What would symbolize for you the giving of yourself to God in a fresh way?
As we hurry through our days it’s easy to forget that Jesus’ death on the cross was to buy our freedom from the things that hold us captive.
As we plan our Easter egg hunt and buy our ham it is easy to forget that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is the very same power we have to help us overcome those things that hold us captive every day.
Habits that keep our body enslaved hold some of us.
For others, it’s thoughts that lead us away from the truth that God is our very present help in whatever we face. We forget that His power is enough to guide us and bring us through any difficult circumstance, testy relationship or crisis that stares us in the face today.
And still others are dragged down by emotions that can’t seem to be shaken.
As we hurry on we tend to forget that Jesus stands at the empty grave and offers peace. He offers rest for our weary souls. He offers joy.
On Ash Wednesday many choose to sacrifice chocolate, coffee or some other food or physical activity for the 40 day Lent period. It’s a good custom though in itself it holds no power. Yet it does serve as a reminder to give ourselves with fresh fervor to the Christ who sacrificed so much for us.
Consider giving your heart and life to Jesus in a fresh act of dedication this Easter Season. What will you fast from, during this season of Lent, as a daily reminder to yourself that His sacrifice for you has given you everything you need to walk where you walk today?
Share your thoughts with us.
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